Kidnappers take over abandoned Govt bricks factory

No fewer than four children and some domestic animals have reportedly lost their lives in an abandoned Federal Government bricks factory in Akegbeugwu, Enugu State.

The traditional ruler of the community, Igwe Ignatius Ugwu, announced the figure in Akegeugwu on Thursday during an oversight function by the state assembly committee on works, lands and housing in the community.

Ugwu said that the state government donated hectares of land to the Federal Government in 1974 to construct the factory.

He said that the factory started production and sale of bricks in 1978.

He said that the water catchment pit dug in the factory had consumed lives, animals and other valuable items in the community.

“The factory has caused sleepless nights to members of the community, especially those living around it because of illegal activities going on in the abandoned facility,’’ he said.

The traditional ruler urged the Federal Government to rehabilitate the factory to create job opportunities as well as generate revenue.

He said that the community had an agreement with the government that the water catchment pit would be fenced after construction but this had not been done.

Earlier in his remark, the Chairman of the committee, Mr Sunday Ude-Okoye, said that it was in the community to assess the situation of the factory.

Ude-Okoye said that the present state of the firm was pathetic, adding that the assembly would plead with the Federal Government to rehabilitate it.

He assured the community that its people would be involved if the government decided to reactivate it.

The factory closed shop in the late 90s while its workers were disengaged in 2005.